This website contains Primary Source Materials to support schools in the Clacton-on-Sea (Essex) area studying the impact of World War Two on the lives of ordinary local people, especially schoolchildren. Most of the materials are also available in hard copy and on CD.

The resources are arranged thematically around a series of Modules that reflect significant aspects of the life of this small seaside town, including:

• Clacton Prepares for War
• Evacuation and Education
• Daily Life
• Food and rationing
• Enemy Action
• Women in wartime Clacton
• The Land Army
• The return of peace

The project is primarily aimed at teaching in Key Stages 1 and 2, particularly those following QCA Unit 9 ‘What was it like for children in the Second World War?' However, it contains material suitable for all age groups and abilities, and should provide teachers with sources suitable for other local history topics or other curriculum subjects such as literacy and citizenship. Some ideas for the further use of the material are in our Teaching Activities.

The types of resources available here will include:

• Photographs
• Maps
• Facsimiles of original official documents
• Letters, diary and newspaper extracts
• Recordings of oral accounts

The website has been developed by a group of local people, The Clacton VCH Group , working on the history of their town on a voluntary basis. They have also been assisted by the staff from the Essex Record Office and the Victoria County History of Essex. The project was piloted in Cann Hall County Primary School, Clacton-on-Sea, and the group thank the school and its pupils for their help and enthusiasm.

The project has been self-funded by the Clacton VCH Group , with assistance from the Big Lottery Fund.